Political and Ministerial Records

The Provincial Archives’ Collection includes legislative and political party records (speeches, briefing notes, committee minutes, agenda and reports, notices, constituency correspondence, letters, party conference and election material) representing all political interests. These collections may include the official constituency and portfolio records of individual members of the legislature while in office, and their private records. The records provide insight into political issues, party policy, and personal experiences in the parliamentary system. These records include those of the province’s Premiers, Ministers of the Crown, and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

Prior to The Archives and Public Records Management Act, the private records of MLAs (personal, political, and constituency records) and the ministerial records of Ministers of the Crown (records related directly to their ministerial portfolio responsibilities) were often transferred to the Archives together and may be found in the same collections. Today, Cabinet records, records of Premiers, and Ministerial records are managed and acquired in accordance with a records retention schedule, while personal, political and constituency records may be donated by individual MLAs as private records.